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Garlic Butter Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (No Thaw, 12 Minutes)

Close-up of juicy air fryer frozen shrimp coated in melted butter, garlic, and parsley.

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Cook frozen shrimp straight from the freezer in your air fryer for perfectly juicy and crispy results in under 15 minutes. This simple, no-thaw method is ideal for fast weeknight dinners or appetizers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb frozen raw shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail on or off)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Take the frozen shrimp directly from the freezer bag. Do not thaw them first.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
  3. Add the frozen shrimp to the bowl and toss well until every piece is lightly coated with the garlic butter mixture.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). This step is important for achieving crispy shrimp.
  5. Place the coated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which prevents crisping.
  6. Air fry for 10 minutes.
  7. Carefully pull out the basket and shake it well to flip the shrimp.
  8. Continue to air fry for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through. Total cook time is usually 12 to 13 minutes.
  9. Remove the shrimp from the air fryer, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For the best crispy texture, do not skip preheating the air fryer.
  • If your shrimp are very large, you may need to add 1 to 2 minutes to the total cooking time.
  • This recipe works well for keto air fryer shrimp since it uses minimal carbs.
  • Serve this as a quick appetizer with cocktail sauce or toss with pasta for an easy weeknight seafood meal.

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